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CONTAINER Filed Sept. 11, 1964 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 x 5 it T w x 3 LINVENTOR- [raga/029 1 jfd'arriera July 16, 1968 E. E. SANDERS 8 SheetsShee Filed Sept. 11, 1964 4 W J. 2 Pf m f :M 1 W6 6 ml! 1 v M i 1 Y i l1 W, M J m M 4/ M m United States Patent 3,392,877 CONTAINER EllsworthE. Sanders, Birmingham, Mich., assignor to Pinckney Molded Plastics,Inc., Birmingham, Mich., a corporation of Michigan Filed Sept. 11, 1964,Ser. No. 395,862 11 Claims. (Cl. 22097) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLGSURE Acontainer of the stacking and nesting type which is adapted to bestacked on a like container when turned end-for-end or nested in a likecontainer when oriented in a like direct-ion including an interlockingfoot formed adjacent to the lower edge of the container and adapted toengage a support formed adjacent the upper edge of a like container whenturned end-for-end relative thereto and stacked thereon.

The purpose of the above abstract is to provide a nonlegal technicalstatement of the disclosure of the contents of the above instant patentapplication and thus serve as a searching-scanning tool for scientists,engineers and researchers. Accordingly, this abstract is not intended tobe used in understanding or otherwise comprehending the principles ofthe present invention hereinafter described -in detail, nor is itintended to be used in interpreting or in any way limiting the scope orfair meaning of the claims appended hereto.

This invention generally relates to containers, and more specificallyrelates to containers of the stacking and nesting type.

In dealing with certain small articles, such as produce, bread and thelike, it is desirable that the articles be placed in containers fortransportation from one place to another or to store the goods whileawaiting transportation. In order to most efficiently utilize the spaceavailable, the containers should have the capability of being stacked,one on another, during use; and of being nested, one within another,when the containers are not in use.

In this situation, provisions must be made to allow the containers to bestacked to a maximum height consistent with vertical stability whileallowing the user to nest the same containers thus providing a compactstorage of the containers. While the prior art has provided containerswhich are adapted to be stacked while in use, and nested for storage,there are certain improvements in these containers which the presentinvention is designed to supply.

oftentimes, the transportation of the goods is accomplished by means oflarge volume trucks, trailers, and the like, wherein the amount ofunused space within the containers and within the body of the carrieritself becomes critical in view of the high cost of transportation.Thus, it becomes necessary that the nonusable space within the containerbe maintained at a minimum and the largest amount of space within thebody of the trailer also be available for use.

Accordingly, the containers of the present invention are so constructedas to provide a maximum of usable space within the confines of thecontainer while maintaining the exterior configuration such as to allowthe containers to be closely spaced in the horizontal direction as isdesired in the transportation of goods. As an example, certain prior artboxes or containers provide a payload which is of the order of eight toten percent less than the payload which is provided with the containerof the instant invention. Thus, the containers of the instant inventionachieve a saving in transportation costs which may become critical indetermining the ultimate cost of the article.

Furthermore, certain of the prior art boxes are so designed in theirinteracting elements for the stacking configuration that the stack isnot capable of maintaining vertical alignment but rather is staggeredwherein the upper box is slightly offset from the lower box in thehorizontal direction. With the container of the instant invention, thecontainers are adapted to be perfectly aligned in a vertical directionproviding a uniform stack, thereby increasing the stability thereof.

Certain other concepts of the instant invention are designed to providethe stacking and nesting container art with a container which has sideand end walls of a substantially smooth and thin configuration. Thus theinterior and exterior surfaces of the walls are free of any inward oroutward convolutions and the cross-sectional profile of the walls aremaintained at a minimum consistent with strength. Also provided arecertain features wherein the nesting box has elements which coact withcertain structural details of the lower box thereby stabilizing thenested stack and precluding the nested box from jamming within itsreceiving container.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide animproved stacking and nesting container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stacking andnesting container which, while being light in weight and construction,is adapted to carry a maximum load through certain features of its wallconstruction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stacking andnesting container having improved structural characteristics therebyproviding a more rigid stack.

Still another object of the present invention is to pro vide a stackingand nesting container which is so constructed as to increase thestability of the stack when the containers are nested one within theother and wherein the nested container is jam proof.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a stackingand nesting container which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a stackingand nesting container having improved alignment characteristics thusfacilitating sliding one container over another into stacking engagementwith the lower container.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a stackingand nesting container having characteristics which improve the stabilityof the vertical stack when the containers are stacked one upon theother.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from a consideration of the following description, theappended claims and the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a top plan view of a stacking and nesting containerembodying certain principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevation ofthe container of FIG. 1 taken along line 22 thereof;

FIG. 3 is an end view in elevation of the container of FIG. 1 lookingtoward the right end thereof;

FIG. 4 is an end view in elevation of the container of FIG. 1 lookingtoward the left end thereof;

FIG. 5 is a perspective vie-w of the container in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a plurality of the containers of FIG. 1 intheir nested relation;

FIG. 8 is a sectional side view of a plurality of the containers of FIG.1 in their stacked relation;

FIG. 9 is a sectional end view of a plurality of the containers of FIG.1 in their stacked relation;

FIG. is a perspective view of an embodiment of the container of FIG. 1embodying certain other principles of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is .a side elevation view of the container of FIGS. 10 and 11looking toward the left end thereof;

FIG. 13 is a side view partially in section and partially in elevationof the Containers of FIGS. 10 and 11, looking toward the right endthereof;

FIG. 14 is a view in vertical section of a portion of the container ofFIG. 11 taken along line l414 thereof;

FIG. 15 is another vertical section of another portion of the containerof FIG. 11 taken along line 1515 thereof;

FIG. 16 is a vertical section of still another portion of the containerof FIG. 11 taken along line 1616 thereof;

FIG. 17 is a vertical view partially in section and partially inelevation of the container of FIG. 11, taken along line 17-17 thereof;

FIG. 18 is a side sectional view illustrating a plurality of thecontainers of FIG. 11 in their stacked relation;

FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of a plurality of the containers ofFIG. 11 illustrated in their nested relation;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the presentinvention incorporating certain other features thereof;

FIG. 21 is a partial view of a plurality of the containers of FIG. 20,illustrating the stacked relation thereof; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a plurality of the containers of FIG.20 in their stacked relation illustrating a display thereof.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the drawings wherein is illustrated agenerally rectangular shaped, injection molded, plastic container of theabove described stacking and nesting type. The container 30 isfabricated having a bottom 32 integrally formed with a pair ofoppositely facing side walls 34, 36 and a pair of oppositely facing endwalls 38 and 40. It is to be noted that the entire structure is formedas an integral unit in the molding process.

The upper and outer periphery of the container 30 is formed with aoutwardly and downwardly extending flange 42 integrally molded with thewalls 34-49 which is adapted to reinforce the general structure of thecontainer and to provide a carrying handle for the container. The bottom32 is illustrated as having a plurality of apertures 44 which serve tofacilitate draining the container should any moisture collect thereinand also to reduce the overall weight of the container. Similarly,apertures 46 are formed in the side walls 34 and 36 to further reducethe weight of the container and provide visual identification of thecontents thereof.

Containers such as that illustrated in the drawings, that is, of agenerally rectangular configuration, have been found to be particularlysuitable for the purpose of storage and transporting goods due to theinherent ability of a plurality of the containers to be closely spaced.It is further to be noted that the container side and end walls aresmooth and free of any inwardly or outwardly extending convolutions,thereby providing the interior of the container with a maximum of usablespace. Thus, the available space in both the transporting vehicle orstorage area and within the container itself are most efficientlyutilized.

As was stated above, the subject container is adapted to be eitherstacked on a like container when it is desired to store or transportgoods within the container and further it is adapted to be nested withina similar container in order to store the containers in a minimum amountof storage space. The nesting relation is accomplished by orienting thecontainers all in a like direction and for the stacking relation, toalternately turn the containers endfor-end relative to .the supportingcontainer on which it is to be stacked.

The container 30 has been provided with a plurality of support meansincluding pairs of pads 50, 52 which are integrally molded with the endwall 38 at the upper inner edge thereof and serve to support the uppercontainer in the stacking relation. The pads 50, 52 comprise a generallyU-shaped strap forming generally vertically disposed apertures 54, 56therein which are adapted to receive a plurality of pairs of projections66 and 62 integrally molded at an outer, lower edge of the opposite endwall 46. The pairs of pads 50, 52 are seen to be cantilevered at theupper edge of the wall 38, thus freeing the wall 38 from any projectionsfor substantially all of its effective height.

In the stacked relation, the projections '60, 62 are adapted to befitted into the apertures 54, 56 of end wall 38, thus supporting theupper container in stacked relation thereto. The projections 60, 62 havea plurality of generally vertically disposed sides 61, 63, respectively,which are adapted to positively engage the sides of apertures 54, 56thus precluding longitudinal or transverse movement therein.Accordingly, by providing a relatively small clearance between the sidesof the apertures 54, 56 and the projections 60, 62 a substantiallyvertical stack may be achieved.

In order to support the opposite end of the stacked container, thecontainer 30 is provided with a pair of pads 68 on side wall 34 and asimilar pair of pads 70 on side wall 36. These pads 68 and 70 are formedwith apertures 72, 74, respectively, which are adapted to receive a pairof projections 78 which are formed at an outer, lower edge of side wall34 adjacent the bottom 32 and a second pair of projections which areformed at an outer, lower edge of the end wall 36. The projections 78,80 are adapted to engage apertures 72, 74 in a manner similar to thatdescribed in conjunction wit-h end walls 38, 40.

Thus, when a container similar to that illlustrated in FIG. 1 is turnedend-for-end and stacked on the container illustrated in FIG. 1, theprojections 60, 62 at the lower right end of container 30 are adapted tobe fitted respectively into the apertures 56, 54 formed in the pads 52,50, projections 78 are adapted to be fitted in apertures 74 andprojections 80 fitted into apertures 72. It is to be noted, in thestacked relation, the upper container is supported at the points on theperiphery of the supporting box which has the greatest structuralrigidity, that is, adjacnt the corners thereof. This structuraladvantage is gained through the novel positioning of the support padsabout the upper periphery of the walls. Also, by positioning the pads atthe upper extremity of the walls, the bottom of the stacked container issupported above the interior confines of the supporting container, thusfurther increasing the storage cubic.

As is representatively illustrated in the drawings, pads 50, 52 and 68,70 are typically formed of a relatively thin U-shaped portion of plasticmaterial that is cantilevered and integrally molded with the respectivewall and having the apertures 54, 56, 72 and 74 formed therein duringthe molding process. Thus, the pads 50, 52 and 68, 70 are extremelystrong in their attachment to the walls of the container and are ofsufiicient thickness to preclude their bending downwardly when weight isplaced thereon by a container which has been stacked. The upper surfacesof the pads 50, 52 and 68, 70 are representatively illustrated as beingflat and contiguous with the flange 42 to provide a relatively smoothsupport surface. As was stated above, the flange 42 is formed outwardlyand downwardly of the outer edge of the four walls of the containerthereby providing a channel at the edge of the walls adjacent the pads50, 52 and 68, 70 to further strengthen the walls thus precluding thebuckling thereof.

The projections 60, 62 are formed at an outer end of the side walls 40adjacent the bottom 32 and, as is best illustrated in FIG. 6, areintegrally molded with the associated wall. The projections 60, 62 havea lower surface 84 which forms a continuous projection of the lowersurface of the bottom 32 thereby supporting the upper box at asufficient height relative to the supporting boX to allow the entirevolume of the supporting container to be utilized. The projections 60,62 are further formed with an upwardly and inwardly inclined surface 86and have an upper surface 88 thereon which is substantially parallel tothe lower continuous surface 84. The continuous surface 84 is broken atits outer edge thereof by a depending protrusion 90, which is adapted tofit into apertures 54 and 56 when the container is turned end-forend andstacked on a lower container. The pairs of projections 78 and 80 aresimilarly formed with a set of projections 100 and 102 which are adaptedto be received in apertures 74 and 72, respectively.

When it is desired to store the containers 30 by nesting them, onewithin the other, it is necessary that provisions be made to receive theprojections 60, 62, 78 and 80 within the container. To this end, the endwall 38 has been provided with a plurality of pairs of apertures 104,106, which are positioned directly above the projections 60 and 62, thusenabling them to receive the projections 60, 62 of a like container,when oriented identically to the lower container and nested therein.Similarly, side walls 34 and 36 are provided with pairs of apertures 108and 110, respectively, to receive the projections 78 and 80 of a likecontainer When it is nested, as described above. It is to be noted thatthe inclination of the walls allows the projections to clear the upperedges thereof.

While the sides of the containers are inclined upwardly and outwardly asis necessary in containers of the stacking and nesting type, provisionshave been made to provide suflicient clearance for the inwardlyprojecting pads 50, 52 and 68, 70 without excessively inclining thewalls of the container. As is seen from FIGS. 1 and 7, the pads 50, 52and 68, 70 extend into the interior a distance such that the portions ofthe walls extending above the edge of the bottom 32 would not clear theprojecting pads 50, 52 and 68, 70. Accordingly, a plurality of apertures112 have been provided in the walls 34, 36, 38 and the portion 113 ofthe wall between apertures 112 and bottom 32 have been slightly inwardlyinclined from inclination of the wall to provide a relatively verticalwall section therebetween. Thus, a strengthened wall portion is providedto allow passage of the pads 50, 52 and 68, 70 past the bottom withoutfurther increasing the inclination of the walls.

The containers 30 are further provided with a plurality of integrallyformed reinforcing ribs 114 which are vertically disposed adjacenteither edge of the apertures 104, 106, 108, 110 and 112. The ribs 114are provided with substantially flat lower surface 116 which is adaptedto engage the upper surface of the flange 42 When the containers are inthe nested relation. Thus, the ribs 114 serve to structurally rigidifythe containers at the critical load bearing points when the containersare in stacked relation and further provide a support for the nestedcontainer when the containers are in the nested relation. This latterfunction of the ribs 114 prevents the nested containers from jamming asthe containers are spaced, one from the other.

As is best seen in FIG. 1, the bottom 32 of the container 30 has adownwardly depending, integrally formed, diamond-shaped projection 118which is open at either longitudinal end. The projection 118 is formedwith a pair of guide portions 120 and 122 having a pair oflongitudinally extending portions 126 and 128 respectively. The upperportion of the container 30 is formed with a pair of upwardly extendingprojections 130, 132, which are integrally molded with the flange member42. The projections 130, 132 are adapted to be engaged by the guideportions 120, 122 and coact therewith when a container is slid acrossthe top of a like container. Thus, the container which is desired to bestacked is turned endfor-end relative to the container on which it is tobe supported and placed over the edge of the upper wall of the end wallthereof. The container is then slid across the top of the supportingcontainer with the projection 130 somewhere within the confines of thediamond-shaped member 118.

As the upper container 30 progresses across the supporting container,the guide members and 122 tend to guide the element into the spacebetween longitudinally extending portions 126 and 128 thereby guidingthe upper container into proper vertical alignment with the supportingcontainer. In this manner, with the stack projecting above the visuallevel of the user, the next container to be stacked is merely placedover the edge of the end of the supporting container and slidthereacross. The projections 120, 122 will then guide the stackedcontainer into proper alignment without the necessity of the loadervisually observing the vertical alignment.

Inasmuch as the lowermost container is to rest on the floor of thestorage area, a plurality of pad members 136 have been provided at eachcorner of the box to provide both ventilation and drainage beneath thebox. Also, the upper portion of the pads 136, as seen from the interiorof the container, form drainage troughs to provide a collecting area forwater or other moisture that may collect within the box. A central padmember 138 is integrally formed with the bottom of the box and dependtherefrom to support the center of the container and also provides anarea for the further collection of water or moisture that may collect.

Referring now to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 wherein is illustrated the specificsof the relationship of the various containers when in their nested andstacked relation. As is seen from FIG. 7, When the containers are nestedone Within the other, the plurality of ribs 114 formed adjacent thevarious apertures about the periphery of the container are so positionedand dimensioned that the lower edge of the ribs 114 seat themselves onthe upper surface of the flange 42, thus spacing the bottom of thenested container from the bottom of the supporting container. The ribsresting on the upper surface of the flange portion 42 precludes thenested container from jamming within the supporting container thusenabling the nested container to be easily lifted out for use.

FIG. 7 illustrates a slight modification of the flange 42 in that a pairof horizontally disposed projections 146 are seen to replace the flangeportion 42 around the upper periphery of the container 30. Thismodification is incorporated into two sides of the box and serves afunction of enabling the molds to be drawn away from the container afterthe molding process is completed and also to provide an indicating meansfor the users of the containers to easily identify the orientation ofthe container which is being stacked or nested relative to thesupporting container.

In the molding operation the steel mold is so formed that it is receivedin the cavity disposed between the side wall and the flange portion 42and, if the flange 42 were provided around the complete periphery of thebox, the mold would not be able to be slid longitudinally ortransversely away the molded container. Thus, the two sides are providedwith the open type horizontally disposed U-shaped member 146. When theuser is desirous of stacking or nesting the containers, the flange areaof the container may be used to properly orient the containers. Fornesting, the containers will be oriented with the horizontally disposedprojections 146 in the same direction or, if stacking is desired, theuser alternates the orientation of the containers having the lowermostcontainer with the U-shaped projections in one direction, the nextcontainer having the flange in that direction and the next containerhaving the horizontal projections in that same direction, and so forth.Thus, it is not necessary that the user inspect the box to determine thelocation of the various foot projections or other portions of thecontainer.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate the stacking of the container, one upon theother, and particularly illustrates the orientation of the footprojections relative to the supporting pads. It is seen that the foot isadapted to be received within an aperture formed in the pads asdescribed above and is so disposed therein as to prevent the inward oroutward buckling of the wall. The right end of the containersillustrated in FIG. 8 appears to be unsupported, but it is to beremembered that the sides of the container, as illustrated in FIG. 9,are supported at the ends thereof thus supporting the container at itsoutermost edge relative to the transverse direction as shown in FIG. 9and also the outermost edge as compared to its longitudinal direction asshown in FIG. 8.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the projection 132, shown in phantom, is seento be disposed equally spaced between the longitudinally extendingportions 126 and 128 of the guide means 118. Thus, if the container isdisoriented relative to the longitudinal axis thereof, the inclinedportions of guides 120 and 122 will guide the uppermost container to aposition which is vertically oriented relative to the lower container.When the projection 132 emerges from within the confines of thediamond-shaped portion 118, the upper container will have its footprojections longitudinally aligned with the pad supports allowing theprojections to engage the apertures formed in the support pads.

Referring now to FIGS. 11 to 16, illustrating another embodiment of thepresent invention, there is shown a container 150 having a bottom 152formed of injection molded plastic and a pair of end walls 154 and 156formed integrally therewith. The features of the specific embodimentillustrated are particularly suited to the tray or open sided type ofcontainer. The bottom 152 is representatively illustrated as having asolid sheet of plastic material formed with a cross hatch design thereonbut it is to be understood that the bottom may have suitable holesformed therein to lighten the weight and for drainage purposes asdescribed in conjunction of FIGS. 1 to 9. The container 150 is alsoformed with a pair of elongated apertures 160 in both sides to furtherlighten the weight of the container and may provide a handle area forfacilitating the individual movement of the container 150.

As in the containers of FIGS. 1 to 9, both end walls 154, 156 areprovided with pairs of apertures 162, 164 respectively. Walls 154 and156 are also formed with a set of integral support pads 166 and 168respectively and it is to be noted that the support pads 166 are formedadjacnt the outer extremity of the apertures 162 formed in end wall 154and that support pads 16% are formed closely adjacent the inner verticaledge of the aperture 164 formed in end Wall 156. The purpose of thisorientation of elements will be obvious as the description proceeds.

A pair of feet projections 172 are formed integrally with end wall 154at the lower edge thereof and it is seen that the projections 172 areformed adjacent an inner vertical edge of the apertures 162 formed inend wall 154. Similarly, a pair of foot projections 174 are formed belowthe oppositely facing apertures formed in end wall 156 and adjacent anouter vertical edge thereof. Thus, when a container or tray 150 isdesired to be stacked on a like container, the container is turnedend-for-end relative thereto and projections 172 are fitted into a pairof apertures 178 formed in support pads 168. Similarly, projections 174are fitted into a pair of apertures 176 formed in support pads 166. Theprojections 172, 174 are shaped in a manner similar to that described inconjunction with FIGS. 1 to 9 and interact with apertures 174, 176 in anidentical manner.

The tray or container 150, is representatively illustrated as having apair of edge flanges integrally formed at the bottom thereof andadjacent the side edges of the bottom to facilitate the retention of thegoods within the confines of the tray 150. Also, the upper edges of theend walls 154, 156 are provided with upstanding flanges 184 and 186 anda pair of transversely extending slots 185, 187 for a purpose to behereinafter described. As is particularly illustrated in FIGS. 12, 13,and 16, the container is provided with a reinforcing rod 199 which isadapted to be snapped into the end walls 154, 156 of the container bymeans of a groove 194 formed in the side of the end walls 154 and 156during the molding process. See FIGS. 10 and 11. Thus the structuralrigidity of the container is further enhanced due to the reinforcingrods which are substantially embedded in the end Walls 154, 156 and theedges of the container. v

Referring now to FIGS. 18, 19, wherein is illustrated a plurality of thecontainers of FIGS. 10 and 11 in the stacking and nesting relation,respectively; As was stated above, when the containers are desired to bestacked, the uppermost container is turned end-for-end relative to thesupporting container and vertically aligned therewith. Thus, the pairsof projections 172 are adapted to be fitted into the pairs of apertures178 and the pairs of projections 174 are adapted to be interfittcd withthe pairs of apertures 176. Inasmuch as the apertures and projectionsare similar in configuration to those described in conjunction withFIGS. 1 to 9, the positive interlocking of the two containers is asdescribed above and requires no further description. The container 150has been provided with a pair of inwardly offset portions 196 formed atthe lower edge of apertures 162 and thereby provide a Substantiallyvertical surface to bypass the inwardly projecting supporting pads 166as a like container is passed down through a supporting container toachieve the nesting configuration. The structural elements justdescribed are similar to those described in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to9 and are provided for the identical purpose. Similarly, a pair ofinwardly extending portions 198 are provided at the lower edge ofaperture 164 and beneath support pads 178 for a like purpose.

FIG. 19 particularly illustrates the nesting relation of a pair ofcontainers such as those illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11 and isparticularly illustrative of the interacting features of the twocontainers. A substantially vertically extending channel shaped flange2th"! has been integrally formed on an outer surface of end wall 154 andthe lower surface of this flange 268 is adapted to engage the verticallyupstanding flange 184 described above. Thus, as the containers arenested one within another and oriented in a like direction, theengagement of the upwardly extending flange 184 with the lower surfaceof channel 200 achieves the desired degree of spacing between the pairsof bottoms of the nested containers. It is to be noted that the channel200 is formed with a cavity therein in order to receive the reinforcingcord 190 which has been inserted therein. Again, this interengagement ofelements between containers is calculated to prevent jamming.

Referring now to FIGS. 20, 21 and 22, there is illustrated anotherembodiment of the present invention incorporating certain other featuresthereof. A container 204, as illustrated in FIGS. 20, 21 and 22 is seento be substantially similar to the embodiment of FIGS. 10 to 19 and likeparts will be given like numbers. For example, the container 264 isprovided with the support pads 166 and 168 which are adapted to bemateable with a plurality of projections 172 and 174. However, theembodiment illustrates a pair of slots 206, 208 which are formed on aninner surface of the end walls 210 and 212, and are horizontallydisposed therewith. The slots are L-shaped and are designed to cooperatewith a pair of L-shaped flanges 214 and 216 which are formed at thelongitudinal outer edges of a tray 218 which is adapted to be insertedtherein. Thus, the tray is adapted to be used for small articles whereinthe vertical height of the main container may be cut in half byproviding an auxiliary tray 218 slidably mounted therein.

As is illustrated in FIG. 21, the upper flanges 184 and 186 may be usedin the stacking relation wherein a slot 222 formed in the lower edge ofthe projection 172 may be used in cooperation with the slot 187described in conjunction with FIGS. 10 to 19 to interact with upwardlyextending flange 186 to provide the stacking relation. Likewise, theother ends of the stacked and supported containers may cooperate in amanner similar to that shown in FIG. 21 to support the opposite end ofthe container. The containers 204 are adapted to nest in a manneridentical to that described above.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of one form of displaying the goods in thecontainers of FIGS. 20 and 21. As is seen, the front inclined edges ofthe end walls 210 and 212 are all aligned thus presenting a smooth frontfor displaying a plurality of loaves of bread therein. As the bread istaken from the upper container and the container emptied, it is removedand the goods of the next higher container are displayed, and so forth.If the projection and aperture configuration were used to stack thecontainers as illustrated in FIG. 18, the front alignment of theinclined surfaces as illustrated in FIG. 22, would not be possible and aless stable stack would be achieved, Thus the slots 187 and 222 engagingupper flange 186 are utilized to offset the stacked containers relativeto each other. The stack of containers is adapted to be supported on agenerally triangular shaped rack 224 to provide an inclination to thestack, thus best displaying the goods contained in the trays 204. It isto be noted that the support pads may be omitted for this type of stack,as illustrated in FIG. 22.

While it will be apparent that the embodiments of the invention hereindisclosed are well calculated to fulfill the objects of the invention,it will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible tomodification, variation and change without departing from the properscope or fair meaning of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A container of the stacking and nesting type which is adapted to bestacked on a like container when turned end-for-end relative theretocomprising; a bottom, a first wall attached to said bottom having firstsupport means cantilevered from an upper edge thereof, a second wallattached to said bottom having second support means cantilevered from anupper edge thereof, said first and second support means including strapmeans connected to the respective walls and forming a generallyhorizontally disposed aperture, said strap means projecting into saidcontainer, in its vertical dimension, a miminal distance as compared tothe vertical dimension of said container means including projectionmeans formed adjacent the edge of said bottom, said projection meansengaging said aperture, for interlocking with the second and firstsupport means, respectively, of a like container when turned end-to-endrelative thereto and stacked thereon for supporting the like stackedcontainer.

2. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein a third wall is attachedto said bott-om having second support means cantilevered from an upperedge thereof, a fourth wall attached to said bottom opposite to saidthird wall having third support means cantilevered from an upper edgethereof, and second and third interlocking means formed adjacent a loweredge of said third and fourth walls respectively including projectingmeans depending therefrom adapted to engage a third and second supportmeans of a like container when turned end-for-end relative thereto andstacked thereon, said first, second and third support means includingstrap means connected to the respective walls.

3. A container as set forth in claim 2 wherein said strap means areformed of a generally U-shaped strap forming an aperture spaced fromsaid bottom.

4. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein each of said walls formsa substantially smooth inner and outer surface.

5. A container as set forth in claim 3 wherein interlocking means areformed adjacent a lower edge of said respective walls and includeprojecting means depending therefrom adapted to engage the supportapertures of the opposite walls of a like container when turnedend-forend relative thereto and stacked thereon.

6. A container as set forth in claim 1 wherein substantially verticalribs are formed on an outer surface of said walls, said ribs adapted toengage the upper edge of a like supporting container when nested thereinto space the bottom of said container within the supporting container.

7. A container of the stacking and nesting type which is adapted to bestacked on a like container when turned end-for-end relative theretocomprising a bottom, a pair of oppositely facing end walls havinginterlocking means formed thereon for nesting a plurality of likecontainers when alternate containers are turned end-for-end relative tothe other containers and stacked thereon, guide means for guidingstacked containers into vertical aligned relation when a stackedcontainer is slid across a supporting container, said guide meansincluding projecting means generally centrally projecting from an upperedge of at least one of said end walls, and guide element meansdepending from said bottom and adapted to engage the projecting means ofa like container when a stacked container is slid across an end wall ofa like supporting container, said guide element means including elementsextending substantially entirely across a central portion of saidbottom, said elements being generally spaced and converging toward atleast one edge of said bottom.

8. A container as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide means includeguide elements depending from said bottom and extending substantiallythe entire longitudinal dimension of said bottom.

9. A container as set forth in claim 8 wherein said guide elements areadapted to engage a projection of a like container when said bottom isslid across the end wall of a like container and guide the projection tosaid opening, thereby vertically aligning a plurality of containers intostacking relation.

10. A container as set forth in claim 7 wherein said guide element meansdepend from said bottom include a pair of transversely spaced,continuous guide elements forming a generally diamond-shaped area openat the longitudinal ends thereof and extending substantially the entirelongitudinal dimension of said bottom.

11. A container as set forth in claim 10 wherein the said guide elementshave a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally extending, parallelprojections for-med adjacent a longitudinal outer edge thereof.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 10/ 1963 Canada.

THERON E. CONDON, Primary Examiner.

G. E. LOWRANC-E, Assistant Examiner.

